More than 300 people called for plans to build 8,000 new homes in Gwynedd and Anglesey need to be stopped.

Gwynedd and Anglesey councils have to earmark suitable land for new homes in their local development plans. Both councils estimate that a total of 8,400 new homes are needed.

But at a rally organised by Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (Welsh Language Society) in Caernarfon on Saturday, speakers said there was no local need for the houses and called for local housing needs surveys to be carried out in every community in Wales.

Cymdeithas organiser Osian Jones said the homes would be the “final nail in the coffin for Welsh communities".

Speaker Ieuan Wyn from Bethesda said: “In the field of planning, the Welsh language has no statutory protection at all.” He said it was a “basic failing that should be corrected”.

Tremadog Llais Gwynedd councillor Alwyn Gruffydd said the homes would be for “elderly people from England, putting further pressure on our services.”

Llanllyfni Plaid Cymru cllr Craig ab Iago criticised people who want to protect the rainforests in Brazil but don’t care about the future of the Welsh language and communities.

Cymdeithas chair Robin Farrar accused the Welsh Government of “dragging its feet” over policies which are harming the Welsh language.

He said Cymdeithas had published its own planning bill which called for an assessment of local housing need in every village and community.

He said: “The government are saying there needs to be so many houses but without any basis.” He said there will now be a campaign against the plans.